1932-1991-1994-1995-1996-2001-2014 South Carolina High School Football State Titles. All articles are written by D. Rash(unless oherwise noted) Published by LAWSON'S FORK PRESS in association with WORDPRESS.COM (C)2015 LFP EMAIL:DRASH2113@YAHOO.COM

DAMYJAI FOSTER : “THROWBACK CHILD”

As I sat this past Friday Night at Gibbs Stadium I couldn’t help but here the “armchair coaches”,”PUT #5 IN THE GAME!”

I’m not sure he even knew his name. DAMYJAI FOSTER. Yes he wears number 5 wether he’s playing offense or defense.He even wears it when he’s returning kickoffs and punts. I’ve never been one to reduce a kid to just a number.He’s a young man with a name,a father and mother,friends,classmates.He has goals,hopes and dreams.

Just like us.

Damajai is just like all of us in certain ways,But in other ways,he’s own way.He’s one of a kind.

Growing up in Inman,South Carolina Damyjai Foster had the support system in place. La’Toya Stephens and Kevin Foster,his parents made sure to surround Damyjai and his 3 brothers, Kameron, Jadikus, Ja’Tyree and his sister Kamayia with love,structure and discipline.

Damyjai said,”my parents and grandparents made me who I am today.” There it is.A kid who actually respects and looks up to his family. A rarity in today’s society where most kids blame parents for anything and everything.

Damyjai’s Father was a football standout at Broome and a local legend.His tackle escaping 58 yard TD run against Wade Hampton is still talked about today around the water coolers and loading docks of Spartanburg County. “What fires me up to prove myself and strive to be better than him is when people unfairly compare us”,he said.”It was different times,different styles.”

Did y’all just read that?..he actually looks up to and wants to be better than his Father.He must not be Human.At the very least hes a “throwback child”,to a by gone era,when parents were heroes.

The first time I saw Damyjai return a kick,I almost said out loud,”that young man runs like Kevin Foster.” The Speed,The Cuts,The Fearlessness.There’s definitely “something in the water.” Sometimes different is the same…IN IT’S OWN SPECIAL WAY.

When asked about this weeks game with Etowah,Foster said,”I’m looking forward to the road trip and playing out of state.It helps us become closer as a team.They have a big physical running back who is really good,but I think we can be just as physical and pull away with a win.”

“Before Kickoff,I thank god for the blessing to allow me to play a great game…Football,not everyone gets to experience what I do.I do my best,give my all to try and make sure this team gets another win on the way to another title.”